There’s no denying the indescribable beauty of the Grand Canyon. After all, it’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World! Even still, the constant influx of tourists makes it difficult to really connect with nature during your visit. Luckily, there are several lesser-known canyons in Arizona that look just like the Grand Canyon… minus the crowds. One of them is the Salt River Canyon, located between Globe and Roosevelt Lake. The Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive features an overlook that lets you see for miles – and instead of hearing people talking, you can enjoy the sound of the river rushing through the canyon walls.
If you love the Grand Canyon but aren’t a fan of the crowds, the Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive offers strikingly similar views with a small fraction of the tourism.
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The road is a roughly 30-mile stretch of U.S. 60, running alongside the Salt River between Globe and Roosevelt Lake.
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Only around 15 miles long (compared to the Grand Canyon’s 277 miles), the Salt River Canyon may not seem like an attraction worth visiting - but from above, you can hardly tell the difference.
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Both canyons feature towering rock walls that rise up on either side of a swiftly flowing river. If you roll down your windows, you can hear the powerful roar of the water below!
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You will encounter several sharp curves and hairpin turns, however they are doable as long as you go the speed limit. Plus, an added bonus of driving slow is really taking time to soak up the scenery!
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There are several pullouts along the drive, so you can stop and take pictures or simply enjoy the beautiful nature with your own two eyes.
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Even better, a rest stop at the bottom of the canyon boasts picnic tables just steps away from the river. Follow a path down to the waterfront for a better view!
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Topping off the experience is the old Salt River Canyon Bridge, which is open to pedestrian traffic only. Looking down to see the water rush through the canyon is truly incredible!
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You can also raft in the Salt River Canyon, but you’ll need a permit from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, which can be purchased on their website.
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Have you ever embarked on the Salt River Canyon Scenic Drive? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience. Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for more little-known canyons in Arizona that give the Grand Canyon a run for its money.
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Address: Salt River Canyon, Arizona 85501, USA
